Nigeria has launched its first nationally representative survey on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), marking a major milestone in its efforts to combat one of the world’s most pressing public health threats.
Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners, the initiative is expected to generate critical data to inform evidence-based policies, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce the country’s health systems.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with technical support from WHO, a five-day planning workshop was concluded last week. The workshop brought together government officials, academics, and development partners. The meeting finalized the survey’s technical protocol and operational plan.
WHO noted that Nigeria is only the third country globally to partner with WHO on a national AMR survey. The selection was based on the country’s demonstrated commitment to tackling AMR, its updated WHO Nigeria NAP 2.0, and its readiness to expand laboratory and data systems across key health facilities.
AMR is a growing global crisis, and Nigeria is among the countries most affected.
The country ranks 20th worldwide for age-standardized mortality linked to drug-resistant infections.
In 2019 alone, an estimated 263,400 deaths in Nigeria were associated with AMR, exceeding the combined toll of enteric infections, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, maternal and neonatal conditions, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases, according to the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) study.
Globally, resistant infections in tertiary hospitals cost between US$2,371 and US$29,289 per patient episode, prolong hospital stays by at least 7.4 days, and increase mortality risk by 84 percent.
AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist treatment, making common infections harder and more expensive to treat. Surveillance is a cornerstone of AMR control, helping countries track resistance patterns, identify priority pathogens, and implement targeted interventions.
“This planning workshop marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s AMR response,” said Dr Tochi Okwor, Acting Head of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at NCDC. “With WHO’s support, we are confident the survey will generate the evidence needed to protect public health.”
The AMR survey aims to:
- Establish a national baseline on AMR prevalence.
- Assess the distribution, burden, and diversity of AMR across populations and regions.
- Contribute to the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10% by 2030, in line with the 2024 UN General Assembly declaration.
- Strengthen routine AMR surveillance systems, including diagnostics, referral pathways, and laboratory capacity.
Using WHO’s standardized methodology, the survey will run for 12–15 months and cover 40–45 randomly selected health facilities nationwide. It will target patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs), using standard case definitions, with samples analyzed in quality-assured laboratories.
Data will be collected across all age groups, capturing clinical, demographic, laboratory, financial, and outcome information. Follow-up will be conducted at discharge, 28 days, and three months post-infection. Approximately 35,000 suspected BSI cases will be sampled to obtain around 800 bacterial isolates.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, emphasized the strategic importance of the survey.
He said, “Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward combating AMR with an approach grounded in data, science, and measurable impact. This survey will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter policies, stronger surveillance, and better patient outcomes.”
Dr Laetitia Gahimbare, Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, added that strengthened surveillance “enhances Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to AMR threats, supporting better patient outcomes and reinforcing health security.”
Professor Babatunde Ogunbosi, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, noted that the effort extends beyond data collection.
He stated, “This survey is about more than data. It’s about building national capacity for research, diagnostics, and policy. It integrates science into public health decision-making.”
Nigeria’s participation supports regional and global efforts to track AMR trends. It aligns with the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
By improving diagnostics, upgrading laboratory infrastructure, and promoting responsible antimicrobial use, the survey advances Nigeria’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), national health security, and the National Health Sector Renewed Investment Initiative.
AMR remains one of WHO’s top global priorities. Nigeria’s first nationwide survey reflects strong collaboration among WHO, NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the Global Fund.
Through science, partnership, and sustained commitment, Nigeria is laying a foundation to preserve the effectiveness of essential medicines, strengthen public health resilience, and safeguard future generations.
